Marta Kostyuk began her French Open campaign on Sunday, May 24. This was her first match after being crowned the champion in Madrid earlier this month. Kostyuk staged a rather promising performance against her Russian-born Spanish opponent Oksana Selekhmeteva, dispatching her with a 6-2, 6-3 score.
After the match, the Ukrainian star appeared emotional as she sat on her bench. In the on-court interview that followed, she made a difficult revelation.
Marta Kostyuk Opens Up About ‘Difficult Morning’ Before French Open Match
Kostyuk is on a 12-match winning streak, having entered the French Open after winning Open de Rouen and the WTA 1000 Madrid Open. She skipped the Italian Open, citing a right hip injury. Ahead of her opening match at the French Open, the player received painful news about a tragic event in her hometown, Kyiv.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself today. I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 meters from my parent’s house, the missile destroyed the building. It was a very difficult morning,” she shared in her on-court interview.
Kostyuk has been vocal about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and often brings awareness to the complications facing her country’s citizens. As a gesture of solidarity, Ukrainian players, including Elina Svitolina and Kostyuk, refuse to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian athletes after matches.
“I didn’t know how this match is gonna turn out for me. I didn’t know how I would handle it. I’ve been crying part of the morning. I don’t wanna talk about myself today,” she said at the French Open.
“I’m very pleased to be in the 2nd round, but all of my thoughts and all my heart goes to the people of Ukraine today. Thank you so much for coming out. Slava Ukraine,” Kostyuk added.
Speaking about what it means to be competing in difficult times, she said, “I think it’s important to keep going. My biggest example is Ukrainian people. I woke up in the morning today and I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their life, kept helping people who are in need. I knew a lot of Ukrainian flags would be here today, and a lot of Ukrainian people would come out and support. My friends from Ukraine came as well. Very happy to have them here. Not much I can say.”
Marta Kostyuk calls her opening round French Open victory today, one of the most difficult matches of her career after a missile destroyed a building near her parents home pic.twitter.com/56QxsMYmnV
— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) May 24, 2026
MORE: Why Has Marta Kostyuk Refused Picture, Handshake
Kostyuk is hoping for a deep run at Stade Roland Garros as she chases her first Grand Slam title. While she crashed out in the first round last year, her best run was a fourth-round appearance in 2021. She awaits the winner of Katie Volynets vs. Clara Burel in the Round of 64.
